Texas man has his kids help with shoplifting

Police say that a 32-year-old man was taken into custody for committing theft at a Saratoga Boulevard Walmart in Corpus Christi. Cameras showed the man walking around the store with his 9-year-old daughter putting merchandise into empty plastic bags. Authorities say that they walked out of the store without paying for the merchandise. Additionally, employees caught his 10-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son walking out of the store with merchandise that was not paid for.

While the two girls managed to get into the car that their dad was driving, the 15-year-old was detained. The father was charged with exploitation of a minor because he left his son at the store after he fled. He was also charged with Class A theft, and the children were eventually released to their mother.

Those who are facing theft crime charges may wish to talk to an attorney as soon as possible. A conviction on such a charge could result in jail time, probation and a fine. Community service is also a possibility depending on the circumstances of a given case. However, an attorney may be able to create a defense strategy that could result in the charge being dropped or reduced.

For example, legal counsel may be able to argue that the defendant did not intend to leave a store without paying for merchandise. Another defense may be to claim that the defendant was borrowing the merchandise with the intent of returning it. In the event that an individual has permission to take goods without paying for them, leaving a store without paying for an item or items does not constitute theft. If a charge is dropped, it is possible that it could be expunged, which means that it does not show up on the defendant's record.

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R. Todd Bennett is Board Certified in Criminal Defense Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

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